Wire pass through device

ABSTRACT

A device for sealing an interface is provided. The device includes an opening for a wire to pass through the interface. A first sealing block includes a body and a first portion that extends outwardly therefrom. A concave recess is formed between two points and is sized to surround at least a first portion of the wire. A second sealing block has a body portion with a recess extending inwardly therein and is sized to surround at least a second portion of the wire. The first sealing block and the second sealing block are configured to mate with one another to provide a substantially sealed passage for the wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/487,917 filed on Apr. 14, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/746,271 filed on Jun. 22, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,627,875 issued Apr. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/569,753 filed on Aug. 8, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,065,259 issued on Jun. 23, 2015. All aforementionedapplications are incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments generally relate to a device for sealing an interface,through which wires must pass.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

In various electrical devices, there is frequently a need to pass wiringthrough an interface (sometimes a plate, the wall of a housing, or anyother surface through which wires must pass). Sensitive electroniccomponents may be placed within a sealed or waterproof portion of thedevice while sensors, fans, encoders, pumps, or other devices may be inelectrical communication with these components and they might bepositioned in places which are subject to harsher environmentalconditions. As the wiring passes through the sealed or waterproofportion and enters the harsher environmental portion, it may bedesirable to prohibit water, dust, dirt, or other contaminates frompassing into the protected portion of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments herein provide a device for sealing an interface havingan opening for a wire to pass through the interface. A pair of sealingblocks may be used where one block contains a protrusion and theopposing block contains a recess. The protrusion and recess preferablyhave an apex with a round having approximately the same dimension as theradius of the wire. A pair of posts may be positioned on opposing sidesof the opening. One sealing block may contain an aperture for acceptingone of the posts while the second sealing block may contain an aperturefor accepting the opposing post. The posts may be threaded so that theycan accept a threaded fastener.

Exemplary embodiments may utilize mounting plates which may contain aflange such that squeezing the opposing flanges together can causeinward forces on the sealing blocks. Some mounting plates may containbacking plates which align with the outer edges of the sealing blocks soas to further increase the inward force of the mounting plate onto thesealing blocks.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of an exemplary embodiment will be obtained froma reading of the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings wherein identical reference characters refer to identical partsand in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the sealing blocksprior to being positioned on the posts.

FIG. 2 is a top planar view of the sealing blocks and their interactionwith the wiring.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blocks after being placed on theposts and showing the location of Detail A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of Detail A.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment for assemblingan exemplary embodiment of the device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment after installingfasteners through the flanges of the mounting plates.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment after installingfasteners through the top surface of the mounting plates and intothreaded posts.

FIG. 8 is a top planar view of the optional draft angles for the roundedprotrusions and rounded recesses in a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference toillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments(and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations fromthe shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, ofmanufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus,embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to theparticular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the sealing blocks500 and 600 prior to being positioned on the posts 50. In this view, thewiring 400 is exiting a cavity 201 through the interface 200 by passingthrough an opening 100. At least one pair of posts 50 are positioned onopposing sides of the opening 100. Each of the sealing blocks 500 and600 preferably contain apertures 75 which are sized and positioned toaccept a post 50.

FIG. 2 is a top planar view of the sealing blocks 500 and 600 and theirinteraction with the wiring 400. Here, three different diameters orwiring are shown varying from the smallest diameter wire 400A to thelargest diameter wire 400C. In this embodiment, the first sealing block500 contains rounded protrusions 501 while the second sealing block 600contains rounded recesses 601. Preferably, the rounded recesses 601 aresized to be able to at least partially accept the rounded protrusions501. Both the rounded recesses 601 and the rounded protrusions 501should contain a round 602/502 at the apex 650/550 of the recess/roundthat closely matches the radius dimension of the wiring 400A-400C. In apreferred embodiment, the round 502 on the protrusion 501 isapproximately 5% larger than the radius of the wire and the round 602 onthe recess 601 is approximately 5% smaller than the radius of the wire.Further, in some embodiments the width of the protrusion 501 isapproximately 5% larger than the width of the recess 601.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blocks 500 and 600 after beingplaced on the posts 50 and showing the location of Detail A. As theapertures 75 accept the posts 50, the recesses 601 of the second sealingblock 600 may accept the protrusions 501 of the first sealing block 500.FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of Detail A. As shown, preferablythe round 602 of the recess 601 surrounds at least a first portion ofthe wire 400A. Also preferably the round 502 of the protrusion 501surrounds at least a second portion of the wire 400A. In a preferredembodiment, the rounds 602 and 502 each preferably surroundapproximately half of the wire's circumference.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment for assemblingan exemplary embodiment of the device. Here, the first sealing block 500contains a substantially planar top surface 503 and a substantiallyplanar side surface 504 which is substantially perpendicular to the topsurface 503. Similarly, the second sealing block 600 contains asubstantially planar top surface 603 and a substantially planar sidesurface 604 which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface 603.In this embodiment, a first mounting plate 700 is substantially planarand adapted to fit atop the top surface 503 of the first sealing block.Similarly, a second mounting plate 750 is substantially planar andadapted to fit atop the top surface 603 of the second sealing block 600.

In one embodiment, the first mounting plate 700 contains at least oneaperture 705 which may be aligned with the apertures 75 in the firstsealing block 500. Similarly, the second mounting plate 750 contains atleast one aperture 755 which may be aligned with the apertures 75 in thesecond sealing block 600. To secure these mounting plates and thesealing blocks, the posts 50 may be threaded and fasteners may beinserted through the apertures 705 in the first mounting plate 700,through the apertures 75 in the first sealing block 500, and tightenedinto the posts 50. Similarly, fasteners may be inserted through theapertures 755 in the second mounting plate 750, through the apertures 75in the second sealing block 600, and tightened into the posts 50.

Optionally, at least one flange 702 may extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the top surface 701 of the first mounting plate700. Also optionally, at least one flange 752 may extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the top surface 751 of the second mounting plate750. These flanges 702 and 752 may be squeezed together in any number ofways to tighten the sealing blocks against the wiring. The flanges maybe squeezed by clamps, fasteners tightening into apertures in theflanges, machine screws/bolts with nuts, or similar. An exemplaryembodiment may also contain an additional flange 703 on the firstmounting plate 700 and an additional flange 753 on the second mountingplate.

In a preferred embodiment, the first mounting plate 700 also includes abacking plate 704 extending downward and substantially perpendicularlyfrom the top surface 701. Similarly, the second mounting plate 750 wouldalso include a backing plate 754 extending downward and substantiallyperpendicularly from the top surface 751. When utilizing the optionalbacking plate 704, it may be preferable to provide an outside edge 504on the first sealing block 500 which extends substantiallyperpendicularly from the top surface 503. Similarly, when utilizing theoptional backing plate 754, it may be preferable to provide an outsideedge 604 on the second sealing block 600 which extends substantiallyperpendicularly from the top surface 603. During assembly of thisembodiment, the backing plates 704/754 can be positioned adjacent to theoutside edges 504/604 such that when the two mounting plates 700/750 aresqueezed together there is an inward force applied by the backing plates704/754 onto the sealing blocks 500/600 so as to provide a tighter sealwith the wiring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment after installingfasteners 800 through the flanges of the mounting plates. Here, a nut801 has been positioned opposite the fasteners 800 so that rotation ofthe fastener 800 within the nut 801 causes the flanges to squeezetogether.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment after installingfasteners 900 through the top surface of the mounting plates and intothreaded posts.

The sealing blocks can be any number of materials, but would preferablybe a softer plastic, rubber, or elastomeric material. An exemplaryembodiment may utilize rubber having a durometer between 40 A-60 A. Themounting plates can be any number of rigid materials, but wouldpreferably be a metallic, plastic, or composite material.

FIG. 8 is a top planar view of the optional draft angles for the roundedprotrusions 501 and rounded recesses 601 in a preferred embodiment.Taking the rounded protrusion 501 for example, as the portion 510extends outward from the body of the sealing block there is a point 511just before the round 502 begins. Similarly for the rounded recess 601,as the portion 610 extends into the body of the sealing block there is apoint 611 just before the round 602 begins. From here, an imaginary lineis drawn from the point 611 to the tangent point 401 of the wire 400C.Similarly, an imaginary line is drawn from the point 511 to the tangentpoint 401 of the wire 400C.

To create the draft angle for the protrusion 501 in a preferredembodiment, the imaginary line between the points 511/401 is rotatedoutwardly about the tangent point 401. To create the draft angle for therecess 601 in a preferred embodiment, the imaginary line between thepoints 611/401 is rotated outwardly about the point 611. The amount ofoutward rotation can be measured in degrees, where a preferred amount ofdraft would be 1-15 degrees, with an exemplary embodiment having a draftangle between approximately 4-6 degrees. It is preferred that theportions 510 are drafted with a similar angle (i.e. so that they areapproximately symmetrical about the centerline of this top planar view).Similarly, it is preferred that the portions 610 are drafted with asimilar angle. Finally, it may also be preferable that both portions 510and 610 have the same approximate draft angle.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention,those skilled in the art will realize that many variations andmodifications may be made to affect the described invention and still bewithin the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many of theelements indicated above may be altered or replaced by differentelements which will provide the same result and fall within the spiritof the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit theinvention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for sealing an interface having anopening for a wire to pass through the interface, the device comprising:a first sealing block having a body and a first portion that extendsoutwardly from the body of the first sealing block, the first portioncomprised of two points and a concave recess formed between the twopoints, the concave recess sized to surround at least a first portion ofthe wire; and a second sealing block having a body portion with a recessextending inwardly into the body portion of the second sealing block,the recess in the second sealing block sized to surround at least asecond portion of the wire; wherein the first sealing block and thesecond sealing block are configured to mate with one another to providea substantially sealed passage for the wire.
 2. The sealing device ofclaim 1, wherein: the two points are located along a line extendingparallel with a side edge of the first sealing block, wherein said sideedge extends along a width of the first sealing block.
 3. The sealingdevice of claim 1 wherein: the first portion of the wire isapproximately half the circumference of the wire; and the second portionof the wire is approximately half the circumference of the wire.
 4. Thesealing device of claim 1 wherein: the first portion of the firstsealing block is adapted to fit at least partially within the recess ofthe second sealing block.
 5. The sealing device of claim 1 furthercomprising: a first mounting plate adapted to fit over the first sealingblock and having a top surface with a flange extending from the topsurface; and a second mounting plate adapted to fit over the secondsealing block and having a top surface with a flange extending from thetop surface.
 6. The sealing device of claim 5 further comprising: adevice configured to squeeze the flanges together.
 7. The sealing deviceof claim 5 further comprising: an aperture in each flange; and athreaded fastener adapted to fit within each aperture and draw the twoflanges together when rotated within the aperture.
 8. The sealing deviceof claim 5 further comprising: an aperture in each flange; a nut alignedwith the apertures in each flange; and a threaded fastener adapted topass through the apertures and thread into the nut.
 9. The sealingdevice of claim 5 further comprising: an aperture on the top surface ofthe first mounting plate and aligned with the aperture in the firstsealing block; and an aperture on the top surface of the second mountingplate and aligned with the aperture in the second sealing block.
 10. Thesealing device of claim 9 further comprising: fasteners adapted to passthrough the apertures in the mounting plates and sealing blocks.
 11. Thesealing device of claim 1, further comprising: a second portion of thefirst sealing block which extends outwardly from the body of the firstsealing block and comprises two points and a concave recess formedbetween the two points, wherein the concave recess of the second portionis sized to surround a first portion of a second wire having a differentradius from the wire for the first portion, and wherein the recess inthe second sealing block accepts the second protrusion in the firstsealing block.
 12. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein: the first andsecond sealing blocks are comprised of a polymer.
 13. The sealing deviceof claim 1, wherein: the first and second sealing blocks are comprisedof rubber.
 14. The sealing device of claim 1 wherein: the first andsecond sealing blocks are configured to receive one another in a matedfashion such that a remaining space between the first and second sealingblocks is of sufficient size to accommodate the wire while the first andsecond sealing blocks otherwise provide a substantially sealedarrangement.
 15. A device for sealing an interface having an opening fora wire to pass through the interface, the device comprising: a firstsealing block having a body and a first section that extends from thebody of the first sealing block, the first section providing a concaverecess, the concave recess sized to accept the diameter of the wire; anda second sealing block having a body with a recess extending inwardlyinto the body of the second sealing block, the recess in the secondsealing block sized to accept the diameter of the wire; wherein thefirst and second sealing blocks are configured to receive one another ina mated fashion such that sufficient space remains to accommodate thewire while the first and second sealing blocks otherwise provide asubstantially sealed arrangement.
 16. The sealing device of claim 15wherein: at least one of the first and second sealing blocks iscomprised of a polymer.
 17. The sealing device of claim 15 furthercomprising: a first and second threaded fastener adapted to pass throughthe first and second sealing blocks, respectively; a first mountingplate adapted to fit over the first sealing block and having a topsurface with a flange extending upward from the top surface; a secondmounting plate adapted to fit over the second sealing block and having atop surface with a flange extending upward from the top surface; and adevice configured to squeeze the flanges together.
 18. The sealingdevice of claim 17 further comprising: a substantially planar topsurface on each sealing block; a substantially planar edge surface oneach sealing block which extends substantially perpendicularly from thetop surface; and a backing plate on each of the mounting plates whichextends downward and substantially perpendicular to the top surface ofthe mounting plate, where the backing plates are positioned adjacent tothe edge surfaces of the sealing blocks.
 19. The sealing device of claim17 wherein the device configured to squeeze the flanges togethercomprises: an aperture in each flange; a nut aligned with the aperturesin each flange; and a threaded fastener adapted to pass through theapertures and thread into the nut.
 20. The sealing device of claim 15,further comprising: a second section of the first sealing block whichextends outwardly from the body of the first sealing block and comprisestwo points and a concave recess formed between the two points, whereinthe concave recess of the second section is sized to surround a firstportion of a second wire having a different diameter from the wire forthe first section, and wherein the recess in the second sealing blockaccepts the second protrusion in the first sealing block.